Dutcher Crossing

Dutcher Crossing

We are blessed with so many great wine regions in Sonoma County. I never seem to make it out to the Dry Creek Valley enough. Earlier this Summer I was invited out to Dutcher Crossing in the heart of the Dry Creek Valley to visit and taste their wines. Their property was stunning and their wines were amazing.

That afternoon a winery employee by the name of Ryan gave us the winery tour and a golf cart ride throughout the winery's property. Ryan was so full of great information and passion for Dutcher Crossing; I swear he knew every vine in their vineyard.

After touring the vineyards, we were spoiled with this awesome cheese platter to pair with their wines.

I tasted most of the wines at Dutcher Crossing that afternoon but a bottle of Zinfandel stood out among the rest........................

Dutcher Crossing

2012 Maple Vineyard

Dry Creek Valley

Zinfandel

$42.00 a bottle

The 2012 Maple Vineyard Zinfandel is 92% Zinfandel and 8% Petite Sirah. I was told Tom and Tina Maple grow some of the best Zinfandel in the Dry Creek Valley. Dutcher Crossing harvests their grapes with counsel from Tom and Tina Maple. Maple Vineyard is a 25 acre ranch planted midway up the valley to dry farmed and head trained Zinfandel. The 2012 Maple Zinfandel spent 9 months in barrel, 35% New French oak and 65% Neutral French oak. This Dutcher Crossing Zinfandel has aromas of spice, red currant and red berries. An incredible Zinfandel, first tasting cranberries, red currant, and white pepper. The wine finishes with creamy vanilla and a touch of oak. Dutcher Crossing 2012 Maple Zinfandel is one of the most complex Zinfandels I have had. This Zinfandel is not jammy and radiates with spice and definitely rocked my palate. Debra Mathy has quite the winery in Dry Creek Valley, of course with the help of her winemakers Kerry G Damskey, Nick Briggs and Matt Ward. If in the Dry Creek Valley, Dutcher Crossing Winery comes highly recommended.